After UAE, Syria backs Indiaâ€™s permanent UNSC seat claim

After the UAE, Syria, too, has supported Indiaâ€™s claim for a permanent seat in the reformed United Nations. â€œWe agree with India, and all other peace-loving countries, on the importance of reforming the UN so that it becomes more democratic, representative and efficient,â€ Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday.

Assad offered Syrian support in a statement he read out to the media in the presence of President Pratibha Patil after talks between the two leaders at the Peopleâ€™s Palace here. Patil arrived here on Friday after a five-day visit of the UAE.

Earlier this week, UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had extended his countryâ€™s support to the Indian claim for a permanent seat in the UN.
The two Presidents discussed the Middle East problem, efforts to step up bilateral trade, and co-operation in economic and infrastructure development, industry and agriculture, health, oil and higher education.

Assad thanked India for its support on the Palestinian issue and its position that the Golan Heights should be returned to Syria. He blamed â€œIsraeIi policiesâ€ which, despite Syriaâ€™s efforts for peace, had heightened tensions and â€œundermine our efforts for economic development and prosperityâ€.

Responding to the Syrian President, Patil reiterated Indiaâ€™s support for â€œthe early and full returnâ€ of the Golan Heights to Syria, called for a lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and solution of the problem on the basis of â€œrelevant UN resolutionsâ€, but avoided mentioning Israel. Syria had lost two-thirds of the Golan Heights to Israel in the six-day Arab-Israeli war in 1967.

Regarding trade relations, Assad said it remained modest, in spite of the capabilities of the two countries. Patil said the economic progress in the two countries, after their recovery from the economic downturn, would open up new areas for engagement between industrialists and business communities of the two nations. An India-Syria Business Council will be launched on Monday to facilitate such engagement on a continuing basis.

Patil offered a $100 million credit line to Syria for use in the mutually agreed sectors. The idea is to encourage Indian companies to involve themselves in development projects in Syria.

After the UAE, Syria, too, has supported Indiaâ€™s claim for a permanent seat in the reformed United Nations. â€œWe agree with India, and all other peace-loving countries, on the importance of reforming the UN so that it becomes more democratic, representative and efficient,â€ Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday. Assad offered Syrian support in a statement he read out to the media in the presence of President Pratibha Patil after talks between the two leaders at the Peopleâ€™s Palace here. Patil arrived here on Friday after a five-day visit of the UAE.

Earlier this week, UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had extended his countryâ€™s support to the Indian claim for a permanent seat in the UN.
The two Presidents discussed the Middle East problem, efforts to step up bilateral trade, and co-operation in economic and infrastructure development, industry and agriculture, health, oil and higher education.

Assad thanked India for its support on the Palestinian issue and its position that the Golan Heights should be returned to Syria. He blamed â€œIsraeIi policiesâ€ which, despite Syriaâ€™s efforts for peace, had heightened tensions and â€œundermine our efforts for economic development and prosperityâ€.

Responding to the Syrian President, Patil reiterated Indiaâ€™s support for â€œthe early and full returnâ€ of the Golan Heights to Syria, called for a lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and solution of the problem on the basis of â€œrelevant UN resolutionsâ€, but avoided mentioning Israel. Syria had lost two-thirds of the Golan Heights to Israel in the six-day Arab-Israeli war in 1967.

Regarding trade relations, Assad said it remained modest, in spite of the capabilities of the two countries. Patil said the economic progress in the two countries, after their recovery from the economic downturn, would open up new areas for engagement between industrialists and business communities of the two nations. An India-Syria Business Council will be launched on Monday to facilitate such engagement on a continuing basis. Patil offered a $100 million credit line to Syria for use in the mutually agreed sectors. The idea is to encourage Indian companies to involve themselves in development projects in Syria.